Center Parcs- toddler swim novice

[PensionPuzzle]

Hi all
I've looked at a few threads (mainly code brown and/or fish slice related) but have a fairly specific, stupid question to ask.

I will be taking both of my kids swimming at Center Parcs in Spring, one to one, but I've no idea what they should wear as neither of them have actually been swimming before in their lives, ever! I know CP claims to be really warm too so need to factor that in?

DD3.5 is potty trained etc, DD1.5 clearly isn't... So what kit and clothing do I need? Happy to invest (via eBay) in wetsuit, flotation stuff as necessary as we will be going swimming more regulalry now we've moved nearer to a nice pool.

I went in December, and the pools were nowhere near as warm as they usually are - we've only ever been in December too.

They have a few floatation vests there, nothing that would fit the youngest though.

They will be okay in regular swim stuff but if they are in the small children’s splash zone they might get a bit chilly so you could pup them in shortie wetsuits and keep them well hydrated.

if you can - book your 3yr old in for a week of intensive learn to swim lessons before you go. Swimming is a vital life skill.

Look up the happy nappy and nappy wrap etc so you put the 1.5 Ur old in a swim nappy and then these sort of shrink wrap shorts go over the top. Stop poop leaks.
Wee is accepted as leakable -swim nappy don't even keep it in!

Went swimming with my potty trained 3 year old last month and he was fine. I just made sure he'd gone for a poo already and knew he could ask for the toilet anytime.

Be prepared for them to just want to stay in a tiny part of the toddler pool. It's a big loud place for them!

Usually for swimming you need a double nappy, so disposable swim nappy then neoprene nappy over top then swimsuit on top. Check CP rules for nappies, as our leisure centre is double nappy to 4yo, but some places are 3yo.

I would avoid floatation suits etc as dont help with swimming due to body position in water, go for a pool noodle/woggle under their arms if you are going in deeper end. If in shallow they don't need anything.

If you can get your eldest swimming in a week, buy them a shark fin flotation device so they continue to work on their skills rather than armbands or a ring which make them Bob about like a cork.

if you can get the eldest swimming before you go, CP will do wonders for their water confidence. I have videos of our 3yr old on the rapids (she had to do a swimming test with a life guard and wear a special wrist band as she was so little - she looked younger than 3) having a blast. Be prepared for the eldest to want to do more stuff than the youngest.

also - take some pound coins to put your children in the giant dryers - saves so much time. We also always take a small neoprene mat with us for the changing room floor.

For 3.5 year old you just need a swimming costume. And maybe a hooded towel or two for when she wants to get out for a snack.
For 1.5 year old you need a swim nappy - you can buy disposable ones. Find them next to the regular ones in the supermarket. These let the wee out and keep poo in - so only put them on just before you go in the pool! And then a swimming costume over the top.

Are you going with someone else? As most pools insist for safety that you have children under 5 on a 1to1 ratio. I.e. you can only have 1 child under 5 per adult.

Apologies have just reread your message and you have put one to one! I need coffee haha

Thanks all, very helpful 🙂 I'm hoping that 3.5 will be sparked off into wanting swimming lessons off the back of this trip (she'll be going one way or another, but I'm hoping with enthusiasm!) As we've not been able to sort logistics previously but now we can.

I might have a a look for short wetsuit for her then as 'i'm cold' is one of her catch phrases, I'm sure we'll only be splashing about this time.